FICA rejects lie detector idea to fight corruption

Melbourne, July 21: The Federation of International Cricketers'' Associations (FICA) today rejected the MCC''s proposal to encourage players to take lie detector tests in an attempt to root corruption out of the game.

Tim May, chief executive of the FICA, declared the proposal by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and former Australian skipper Steve Waugh as a matter to be "rejected outright".

Waugh, a member of the world cricket committee of MCC, this week submitted himself to examination by lie-detectors, or polygraphs as they are also known, as part of his effort to fight the battle against corruption.

"It is FICA''s strong position that the use of lie detectors as a means of determining the guilt or innocence of a player in matters relating to corruption on any practice for that matter is to be rejected outright," May said in a statement.

"It is, therefore, totally unacceptable that players should be put under pressure to submit to testing that is far from foolproof.

"To publicly request players to make some stand against corruption, by submitting to this imperfect testing is irresponsible and FICA will oppose such actions in the strongest possible manner," May said.

FICA boss also suggested that lie detector tests are far from foolproof and not permissible as a means of determining peoples guilt or innocence in the courts of the majority, if not all, cricketing territories.

"FICA is committed to rid the game of corruption, but it will not stand by and have players subjected to a testing technique that has the propensity to churn out incorrect conclusions," May said.

May informed that he had written to the MCC to air FICA's concerns over the matter.